Blog

When to Plant Mustard Greens in Stone County, MS

Mustard greens are fast-growing brassicas with a spicy, peppery kick. They come in green, red, and purple varieties and are excellent cooked or in salads.

Stone County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 269 days.

At an elevation of 105 feet, Stone County receives approximately 57.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Mustard Greens may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Mustard Greens will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Mustard Greens root diseases.

Stone County, MS (Zone 8b) Long season
269 days
Last Spring Frost March 2
269 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

Stone County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (178 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 12 Transplant: Feb 16 🍅 Harvest: Mar 23 – May 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (171 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 26 Transplant: Mar 2 🍅 Harvest: Apr 6 – Jun 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (170 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Apr 26 – Jun 28

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Mustard Greens needs ~880 GDD — county provides 5,918 GDD Excellent fit

Mustard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Stone County, MS

Mustard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 26 Jan 26 โ€“ Feb 9
Transplant Outdoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Direct Sow February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 9
Fall Sowing September 17 Sep 17 โ€“ Oct 1
Harvest April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Jun 8

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October Fall Sowing
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

30โ€“50 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

269 days

Growing Tips for Stone County

Direct sow in early spring or fall. Harvest young leaves for milder flavor. Plants bolt quickly in heat so grow as a cool-season crop or provide shade.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mustard Greens in Stone County, MS?

Stone County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 2. Plan your Mustard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stone County, MS?

Stone County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 2 and first fall frost is November 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Stone County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Stone County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.